Download the PDF - No Greater Joy Ministries

“I HAVE NO GREATER JOY THAN 

TO HEAR THAT MY CHILDREN WALK 

IN TRUTH.” III JOHN 4 

No Greater Joy 

Where are the MEN? 

WHERE ARE THE MEN? page 2 - AUTISM ANSWERED page 20

contents 

2 

All Scripture taken 

from the Authorized 

Version (King 

James) Holy Bible 

No Greater Joy is a bimonthly 

publication by 

No Greater Joy Ministries, 

Inc., a non-profi t organization 

dedicated to the advancement 

of the gospel 

of Jesus Christ in America 

and in those countries 

where Christ is least 

known. A free subscription 

is available by writing 

to the address below or by 

visiting our website. Your 

questions and comments 

are welcomed. Please 

send them to the address 

below. 

This material is copyrighted 

by Michael and Debi Pearl. 

Permission for the reprint 

of single articles is granted 

based on the following conditions: 

1. The article must be 

printed in its entirety. 

2. No more than one article 

per publication. 

3. Complete recognition 

must be given as to the 

source. 

4. Every reprint must include 

suffi cient information 

for the reader to subscribe 

to No Greater Joy. 

5. No copyright privileges 

are conveyed by reprinting 

any portion of this publication. 

6. This license to reprint 

may be revoked for anyone 

abusing this privilege to 

reprint. 

7. This license is in force 

until the printing of a public 

statement otherwise. 


Ministries Inc. 

1000 Pearl Road 

Pleasantville, TN 37033 

Trajan, age 3, full time office employee and 

part-time construction helper. 

Children will occasionally manifest extremely 

bizarre emotional behavior that is totally out 

of character. 

www.NoGreaterJoy.org / No Greater Joy Ministries Inc. 

March - April 2003 

Vol. 9 No. 2 

3 

Where 

are the 

Men? 

by Michael Pearl 

An in-depth look 

at the role of 

leadership and 

authority meant for 

pastors and elders, 

and the issue of 

adults honoring 

and obeying their 

parents. This 

article will release 

thousands from the 

fear of man and the 

bondage of religion. 

20 

Autism 

Answered 

by Debi Pearl 

For the many children, 

whose lives 

have been a nightmare, 

I now knew 

there was hope. 

(On the Cover) 

We here at the NGJ offi ce became tired of always being politically correct, so our 

cover sports a photo of Jesse Noel holding a toy gun.

WHERE ARE 

THE MEN? 

Something is out of whack, and for too long now it has been fostered on the church 

as Bible doctrine. The doctrine of “giving up your rights” has been taken to cult-like 

extremes. ~ by MICHAEL PEARL. 

Who is the head of 

your family? 

A divorced mother expects her 

30-year-old son to submit to her 

opinion as to whom he will marry 

and when. She claims that it is her 

God-given role to be the head over 

her son until death do them part. 

A woman submits to the meddling 

of her mother-in-law because 

she has been taught that she is to 

subject herself to her husband’s 

parents. A family feels it is God’s 

will for them to homeschool 

their children, but their pastor 

demands that they send their 

children to the church school. He 

warns them that they will be in 

rebellion to God if they do not 

submit to his pastoral authority. 

A family motivated by the 

conviction that they should honor 

their father and mother grieves as 

they watch their children suffer 

from the permissive influence of 

grandparents. But, they dare not 

take steps to protect their children, 

for they are supposed to honor 

their parents, aren’t they? 

And the list could go on and 

on! To compound the problem, 

in recent years there has arisen 

a twisted doctrine advocating 

that the family be constructed 

around a patriarchal head. This 

modern heresy has sanctioned 

the depraved human tendency to deliver the message. Yet, I must be 

dominate by allowing potentates faithful. The pervasive stench of 

to pose as patriarchs. In addition, religion, on the one hand, and the 

for the many who blindly submit, glory of our liberty in Christ, on 

this practice has satisfied the the other, demand that we address 

common human weakness of this issue head on. This message 

commuting one’s responsibility. will release thousands from the 

Some are giving up rights they fear of men and from the bondage 

have no right to forfeit, and of religion. 

others are taking to themselves 

powers that no man has a right to The letters you will 

wield. For many families, this has 

read are average 

become a great source of friction. 

It is all about a grab for samples, taken from 

authority or a willingness to among many. 

abdicate one’s unalienable 

Dear Mike, 

responsibility. Something is out 

We love our Church, but 

of whack, and for too long now it 

something has come up that 

has been fostered on the church 

we feel is threatening our 

as Bible doctrine. Families are 

home. Our Pastor started 

stumbling, and children are being 

this youth choir for the young 

hurt. 

teens. They get together and 

Every week we receive practice, and then they travel 

several letters or emails that have with the older teens to sing in 

to do with this subject. We have other Churches. We are not 

answered many letters personally, comfortable with our young 

but, until now, we have deferred daughter leaving home so much, 

going public. Of late, the sheer especially traveling and staying 

volume of correspondence on in motels with much older boys 

this issue, and the fact that it is and girls and with other adults. 

destroying families, has forced us Our Pastor feels he is in the 

to address this subject candidly. line of authority and that my 

I write and publish this with wife and I should submit. If 

great reluctance. I do not doubt we don‛t, we are in rebellion 

that the things I say are the and will be treated as such. We 

truth, but they cut so deep that want to do what is right. 

I recognize my unworthiness to 

C. M. 

www.NoGreaterJoy.org / No Greater Joy Ministries Inc. 3

Dear Brother Pearl, 

Our Church has a school, 

and our Pastor has made it clear 

he expects all members of the 

Church to send their children 

to the Church school. As we 

learned about homeschooling, 

we felt more and more that 

God was calling us to train our 

children at home. We talked 

with the children, showed them 

the literature on it, and they 

were all for it. When our Pastor 

heard we were considering this, 

he called us in and told us that 

he would consider our decision 

rebellion against the Church and 

God. I believe that parents have 

the God-given authority and 

responsibility for training their 

children. Given our Church‛s 

position, 

how 

4 

GOD PLACED THE HUSBAND AS HEAD 

OF THE HOME, NOT THE PASTOR. 

can I do this and not be 

rebelling against authority? 

F. T. 

Your pastor is deceived and 

so are you. You have allowed 

your family to be placed under 

bondage. Dictators are made 

by the people that submit to 

them. You share the blame. Your 

preacher will have to answer to 

God for usurping authority that 

belongs to God only, and you will 

have to answer to God for the evil 

consequences that come upon 

your wife and children as a result 

of yielding your conscience to 

another human being. 

This is nothing new. Twentysix 

hundred years ago the prophet 

Jeremiah wrote: “The prophets 

prophesy falsely, [Which is what 

these preachers are doing when 

they claim to hold authority to 

direct your personal affairs.] 

and the priests bear rule by 

their means; [They bear rule 

by no authority higher than their 

powers of persuasion.] and my 

people love to have it so: [Church 

members like to have a strong man 

tell them what to do so they don’t 

have to think and pray. It provides 

a false sense of spiritual security.] 

and what will ye do in the end 

thereof?”- Jeremiah 5:31. The 

end thereof was sin and servitude. 

You have no right to convey 

your authority as head of your 

home to your pastor or to an 

angel from heaven. God 

placed the husband as 

head of the home, not 

the pastor. 

The church in 

Corinth was allowing 

itself to be led astray in 

matters of doctrine, and 

Paul told them, “Watch 

ye, stand fast in the faith, 

quit you like men, be 

strong”- 1Corinthians 16: 

13. “Quit you like men” 

means, conduct yourselves as 

men should—act like men. He 

was telling them to stand up to 

this false doctrine in a manner as 

is worthy of men. When I look 

across the churches of America, I 

must ask, “Where are the men?” 

If families are not run by the 

children, they are run by the 

wives. If not by the wives, then by 

the preachers. “As for my people, 

children are their oppressors, 

and women rule over them. O 

my people, they which lead thee 

cause thee to err, and destroy 

the way of thy paths.” – Isaiah. 

3:12. Fathers have abandoned the 

“path” God laid out for the family. 

Where are the men? 


Is my pastor the head 

of my home? 

We will examine all the verses 

that are offered in support of the 

doctrine of pastoral dominance. 

The Scriptural information on 

pastors is very limited. The 

word pastor is found in the New 

Testament (KJV) only one time 

(Ephesians 4:11), and there is no 

mention of pastors having any 

authority to rule or command the 

church. His function is that of a 

teacher of the Word of God. 

Ephesians 4:11 And he 

gave some, apostles; and some, 

prophets; and some, evangelists; 

and some, pastors and teachers; 

12 For the perfecting of 

the saints, for the work of the 

ministry, for the edifying of the 

body of Christ: 

13 Till we all come in the 

unity of the faith, and of the 

knowledge of the Son of God, 

unto a perfect man, unto the 

measure of the stature of the 

fulness of Christ: 

14 That we henceforth be no 

more children, tossed to and fro, 

and carried about with every 

wind of doctrine, by the sleight 

of men, and cunning craftiness, 

whereby they lie in wait to 

deceive; 

15 But speaking the truth 

in love, may grow up into him 

in all things, which is the head, 

even Christ: 

16 From whom the whole 

body fitly joined together and 

compacted by that which every 

joint supplieth, according to the 

effectual working in the measure 

of every part, maketh increase 

of the body unto the edifying of 

itself in love.

The pastor is a teacher of the 

word of God. His job description 

is given in verses 12-16. 

He teaches and edifies the 

body of Christ, guiding it to 

minister to itself until it grows up. 

Verse 15 clearly identifies the head 

of the church as Christ, not the 

pastor. 

Should elders “rule” my 

home? 

Local churches were ruled 

by elders, sometimes called 

bishops. The word, “rule” is 

used in reference to elders in just 

two passages. It is not used in 

reference to bishops. 

1Tim 5:17 Let the elders that 

rule well be counted worthy of 

double honour, especially they 

who labour in the word and 

doctrine. 

18 For the scripture saith, 

Thou shalt not muzzle the ox 

that treadeth out the corn. And, 

The labourer is worthy of his 

reward. 

The elders rule the church 

in a manner prescribed by 

Scripture (teaching Bible 

doctrine) Their rule is not 

autonomous. 

Heb13:7 Remember them 

which have the rule over you, 

who have spoken unto you the 

word of God: whose faith follow, 

considering the end of their 

conversation. 

9 Be not carried about with 

divers and strange doctrines. 

[They obey in regard to the word 

of God spoken] 

17 Obey them that have 

the rule over you, [verse 7—the 

one who led them to Christ] and 

submit yourselves: for they 

watch for your souls, as they 

that must give account, that they 

may do it with joy, and not with 

grief: for that is unprofitable for 

you. 

24 Salute all them that have 

the rule over you, and all the 

saints. They of Italy salute you. 

Again, the elders rule by 

speaking the word of God and 

by living an example of faith that 

others can follow. In verse 17, 

their rule is described as watching 

for the souls of those to whom 

they minister. They watch by 

guarding against strange doctrine 

that would damage the souls of 

those in their care. 

There is nothing that indicates 

that a minister has the authority 

to meddle in the personal life of 

anyone. There is not one example 

anywhere in Scripture that a 

minister ever told anyone who 

to marry, where to live, how to 

school their children, what job 

they should hold, or any other 

matter beyond sound Bible 

doctrine. That is it for the word, 

“rule.” There are no other verses 

to examine. 

Should I “obey” an 

elder in matters of 

family? 

them and follow their faith, not 

being carried about with divers 

and strange doctrines. No further 

obedience is ever demanded. 

The command to submit 

to elders is found just one time 

(in the passage above), and the 

context remains that of submitting 

to Bible doctrine. 

Guard against false 

shepherds 

Many Christians think that they 

should heed anyone who happens 

to be at the religious helm. 

Jesus predicted that the church 

would become corrupted and 

that there would be many false 

teachers. Jesus’ greatest enemies 

were religious leaders and their 

doctrines. The first three gospels 

are a running account of Jesus in 

contest with structured religion. 

It was religion that crucified 

him, and it will be religion that 

produces Antichrist. Man is a 

religious animal, and history 

reveals that religious ritual and 

tradition triumph over revealed 

truth and common sense in every 

century. So it is today. 

Matthew 7:15 Beware 

“Obey” is used in reference to an of false prophets, which 

elder just one time, and it is found come to you in sheep’s 

in the second of our two passages clothing, but inwardly 

(reviewed above) containing they are ravening 

the word, “ rule” in reference to wolves. 

elders. 

16 Ye shall know them by 

Heb 13:17 Obey them that their fruits. [He is speaking of 

have the rule over you, and prophets, not just Christians in 

submit yourselves: for they general.] 

watch for your souls, as they 

that must give account, that they Mark 13:22 For false Christs 

may do it with joy, and not with and false prophets shall rise, and 

grief: for that is unprofitable for shall shew signs and wonders, 

you. 

to seduce, if it were possible, 

We have already discussed even the elect. [Those who claim 

the context of this verse above. to represent Christ will include a 

Christians are to obey elders in 

regard to the word spoken unto 

continued on page 8 


Books oks b 

[BOOKS BY MICHAEL PEARL] 

To Train up a Child 

From successful parents, learn how 

to bring joy and peace into your 

home. The emphasis is on training 

a child before the need to discipline 

arises. Come to understand the 

difference between training and 

discipline. 

8610-10 


Volume 2 

Use blank order form on back to order. 


Volume 1 

Reprints of the fi rst two years of No 

Greater Joy newsletter articles. If you 

read To Train Up A Child and have 

questions, chances are you will fi nd 

the answers in the No Greater Joy 

book series. 

6230-10 


Volume 3 

The advertisements in this issue 

Reprints of another two years of 

Reprints of another two years of No 

No are 

out of Greater date, Joy newsletter articles. 

only order Greater Joy newsletter 

from articles. If you 

If you read To Train Up A Child 

read To Train Up A Child and have 

and have questions, chances are 

the 

questions, chances are you will find 

you will find the answers in the No 

the answers in the 


Greater Joy book series. 

book series. 

most current 6235-10 

issue or webstore. 

6240-10 

Holy Sex 

Michael Pearl takes his readers 

through a refreshing journey 

of Biblical texts showing that 

God designed marriage to be 

the context of erotic pleasure. 

The world and the devil have 

attempted to make the subject of 

sex their domain. 

4125-10 

By Divine Design 

Michael Pearl discusses questions 

that trouble many, and that few dare 

to ask regarding man as a creation 

of God and His intentions for 

mankind. God desired persons with 

whom He could fellowship. 

2330-10 

Rebekah’s Diary 

Rebekah Pearl, daughter of Michael 

and Debi Pearl, tells the awesome 

story of God’s guidance and 

protection as she, a 22 year old girl, 

all alone, where no white person had 

ever been, adapted to a primitive 

culture. 

6810-10 

Para Entrenar a 

Un Niño 

Spanish Translation of the book To 

Train Up A Child. 

8610-12 

6 

Repentance 

When the Bible warns a sinner 

to repent, what is the nature of 

that repentance? Michael Pearl 

examines all 112 uses of ‘repent’ 

in the KJV. Designed to put hearts 

at rest in Christ and correct error. 

(Not subject to volume discounts) 

8120-10 


All books on this page (except 

“Repentance”) are based on the 

price break-down below. 

1 - 7 Copies - each $5.00 

8 - 99 Copies - each $3.00 

100 or more - each $2.50

AINING 

Debi Pearl in Seminars 

Th 

ar 

mo 

• This three tape set was digitally 

fi lmed with professional 

equipment, carefully edited, and 

is of the highest quality—much 

much better than our fi rst set. 

• We have cut in hundreds d of 

snapshots and video clips of 

the family and of children, 

illustrating the things being 

taught. 

• These three tapes contain 

nearly four hours of teaching, 

with audience questions and 

answers to follow--covering 

much more material than our 

fi rst set. 

• If you liked the fi rst set, you will 

love this one. 

n this issue 

order from the 

webstore. 

Three tape set $26.00 

4910-70 

RETURNS POLICY 

Printed Materials - if materials are returned to us in unused, “new” condition, we will refund the amount of purchase (for an item). 

Audio Tapes/Video Tapes - if they have not been opened and are returned to us in good condition for resale we will refund the amount of purchase (for an item). If you 

receive materals that are defective or damaged we will send you a replacement. Do not send back the damaged or defective tapes - just notify us. 

Shipping/Handling Charges cannot be refunded on returned items. No Greater Joy Ministries, Inc., 1000 Pearl Road, Pleasantville, TN 37033 


number of deceivers.] 

The old covenant was marked 

by false shepherds. 

Isaiah 9:15 The ancient and 

honourable, he is the head; and 

the prophet that teacheth lies, he 

is the tail. 

16 For the leaders of this 

people cause them to err; and 

they that are led of them are 

destroyed. 

17 Therefore the Lord shall 

have no joy in their young men, 

neither shall have mercy on 

their fatherless and widows: for 

every one is an hypocrite and 

an evildoer, and every mouth 

speaketh folly. 

8 

In the passage above, the 

leaders of the people caused 

them to err, which resulted in 

the destruction of those who 

blindly followed. 

Even more horrendous, when 

the people followed false teachers, 

it resulted in God rejecting their 

young men, orphans, and widows. 

Even the apostolic church was 

plagued with false teachers. 

2Peter 2:1-3 But there were 

false prophets also among the 

people, even as there shall be 

false teachers among you, who 

privily shall bring in damnable 

heresies, even denying the 

Lord that bought them, and 

bring upon themselves swift 

destruction.2 And many shall 

follow their pernicious ways ; by 

reason of whom the way of truth 

shall be evil spoken of. 

3 And through covetousness 

shall they with feigned words 

make merchandise of you: 

2Cor 11:13 For such are 

false apostles, deceitful workers, 

transforming themselves into 

the apostles of Christ. 

There is no escaping the 

presence of false teachers and 

prophets. I don’t say this so you 

will dismiss all teachers, for I too 

am a pastor/teacher/elder. But 

we should all be as the Berean 

Christians, for when the Apostle 

Paul himself preached to them, 

they “searched the Scriptures 

daily, whether those things were 

so”- Acts 17:11. 

The Scripture was 

their fi nal authority, 

not the apostle. 

No preacher worth his chicken 

dinner would be less than thrilled 

to have his congregation going 

home after hearing his sermons 

to check everything he said with 

the Word of God. Any minister 

who shows reluctance to being 

questioned is not to be trusted. The 

Word of God ALONE is our final 

authority in all matters of faith and 

practice. 

How should I respond 

to an elder who seeks 

to rule my home? 

What should be our response 

to ministers who misuse their 

gifts and offices? We are given 

a good example in Paul’s letter 

to the Galatians. He speaks of 

false brethren who sneak into 

the congregation and preach a 

doctrine that denies Christian 

liberty. 

Gal 2:4 And that because of 

false brethren unawares brought 

in, who came in privily to spy 

out our liberty which we have 

in Christ Jesus, that they might 

bring us into bondage: 

So how did Paul deal 

with this false teaching that would 

bring the Christians into bondage? 

He did not yield for even an hour. 

5 To whom we gave place 

by subjection, no, not for an 


hour; that the truth of the gospel 

might continue with you. 

These teachers, preaching 

false doctrine, must have claimed 

to be men of special gifts, for 

Paul makes a point of stating how 

unimpressed he was. He shows 

no sympathy, and even disdain for 

their reputations. 

6 But of these who seemed to 

be somewhat, (whatsoever they ) 

were, it maketh no matter to me: 

God accepteth no man’s person: 

for they who seemed to be 

somewhat in conference added 

nothing to me: 

When the apostle Peter came 

to Antioch and conducted himself 

in a way that was misleading 

to the Christians, Paul rebuked 

him publicly. Peter’s celebrated 

position in the early church did 

not place him beyond the reach 

of public rebuke when he failed 

to act according to the truth of the 

gospel. 

11 But when Peter was come 

to Antioch, I withstood him to 

the face, because he was to be 

blamed. 

14 But when I saw that they 

walked not uprightly according 

to the truth of the gospel, I said 

unto Peter before them all, If 

thou, being a Jew, livest after 

the manner of Gentiles, and not 

as do the Jews, why compellest 

thou the Gentiles to live as do 

the Jews? 

This was not just an isolated 

event, for Paul writes to a young 

preacher named Timothy and tells 

him to publicly rebuke any elder 

that sins. 

1Timothy 5:17 Let the elders 

that rule well be counted worthy 

of double honour, especially 

they who labour in the word and 

doctrine. [The elder rules through 

the word] 

18 For the scripture saith,

Thou shalt not muzzle the ox 

that treadeth out the corn. [The 

preacher’s study of the word is 

compared to an ox treading out 

the corn.] And, The labourer is 

worthy of his reward. 

19 Against an elder receive 

not an accusation, but before 

two or three witnesses. 

20 Them that sin rebuke 

before all, that others also may 

fear. 

The authority of a minister 

does not extend beyond his 

allegiance to the truth. He is 

honored only as he honors the 

truth. If he publicly sins, he is to 

be publicly rebuked. 

Judge all ministers for 

their accuracy 

1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe 

not every spirit, but try the 

spirits whether they are of God: 

because many false prophets are 

gone out into the world. 

He connects the spirits with 

false prophets. The passage 

assumes that there is a spirit 

behind the prophet, and that one 

should examine the spirit that 

motivates a minister. I draw your 

attention to the fact that ministers 

were not to be taken on their claim 

or their credentials. Any minister 

is suspect. Every prophet should 

be examined as to the spirit and 

the accuracy of what he says. If 

he has the wrong spirit, or if his 

message is false, the Christian has 

a duty to dismiss him. When a 

prophet speaks, others should be 

judging the content for accuracy 

(1Corinthinas 14:29). 

What does the Bible 

teach about church 

authority? 

History, both secular and religious, 

is the sad and sordid drama of men 

seeking to dominate and control 

others. Every local church has 

its stories of fights and struggles 

for control and power. It is an 

unending conflict. If a church 

has a few precious months when 

there is complete harmony, it is 

treasured by those who experience 

it. 

Many ministers are sincere, 

desiring for Jesus to be the 

shepherd of his sheep. They would 

love to give themselves to nothing 

but the study and ministry of the 

Word, allowing other elders or 

deacons or mature men to tend to 

all the other affairs of the church. 

There are always 

people who are 

uncomfortable when 

someone else is in a 

place of authority. 

They are self-appointed analysts, 

seeking out imperfections and 

talking about them. If they can, 

they will keep a congregation on 

the edge of splitting. 

Their vital part in the conflict 

gives meaning to their otherwise 

insignificant lives. Every local 

church has them. Sometimes they 

lie dormant, waiting until the time 

is ripe, but when they see a crack 

in the minister’s armor, they slink 

out of retirement and begin to 

gather and “share” information. 

Circumstances like these 

tempt a minister to use his office 

to tighten up on the congregation. 

He is in an excellent position 

to dominate, and it is a great 

temptation to become autocratic 

(with the best of intentions) to 

save the church from heresy, 

immodesty, monetary abuse, 

selfish controllers, and any 

number of genuine threats to the 

body of Christ. Fear of division 

and strife are what motivates 

him at first, but then there are the 

lower motives: fear of financial 

loss, fear of losing his job, fear of 

rejection and failure. He begins 

to lord it over God’s heritage. 

The tighter he squeezes, the more 

things slip beyond his control. It 

eventually degenerates to a battle 

for self-survival. Once he crosses 

the unseen line and makes himself 

the head of the church, there is 

nothing to stop him from drifting 

further and further into making his 

own rules. He no longer resembles 

a true minister of the gospel, and 

the church becomes a corporation 

with a desperate C.E.O. at the top. 

This is not the exception. Sadly, it 

is the rule. 

I take no pleasure in saying 

these things. I feel like a juryman 

sitting in judgment of a battlescarred 

soldier who made a 

mistake on the battlefield. 

Pastoring is a tough job. It places 

mortals on pedestals and grants 

them powers meant only for God. 

It is a wonder that any ministers 

of modern churches ever avoid 

all the pitfalls. James said, “My 

brethren, be not many masters, 

knowing that we shall receive 

the greater condemnation. For 

in many things we offend all. If 

any man offend not in word, the 

same is a perfect man, and able 

also to bridle the whole body”- 

James 3:1-2. It is a warning to 

not seek a place of authority, for 

it is a difficult horse to ride. For 

that reason, Paul told Timothy 

in regard to choosing bishops: 

“Not a novice, lest being lifted 

up with pride he fall into the 

condemnation of the devil”- 

1Timothy 3:6. 

The disciples sought 

to rule 

The disciples manifested this 

human frailty to dominate. Two 

of them got together and decided 


to ask for the highest positions— 

above the other ten. 

Mark 10:6 And he said unto 

them, What would ye that I 

should do for you? 

37 They said unto him, 

Grant unto us that we may sit, 

one on thy right hand, and the 

other on thy left hand, in thy 

glory. 

42 But Jesus called them 

to him, and saith unto them, 

Ye know that they which are 

accounted to rule over the 

Gentiles exercise lordship over 

them; and their great ones 

exercise authority upon them. 

43 But so shall it not be 

among you: but whosoever will 

be great among you, shall be 

your minister: 

44 And whosoever of you 

will be the chiefest, shall be 

servant of all. 

45 For even the Son of man 

came not to be ministered unto, 

but to minister, and to give his 

life a ransom for many. 

The same word translated 

“exercise authority,” above, is 

found in 1Peter 5:3 translated as 

“being lords over.” In Matthew 

20:25 it is translated as “exercise 

dominion over.” No such word is 

used in reference to the ruling of 

elders. In the passage above, Jesus 

told the disciples that the church 

was not going to be like human 

institutions and corporations. 

There will not be anyone at the top 

exercising authority, dominion, or 

lordship over the others. The top is 

the bottom. One rules by serving 

others; he doesn’t serve by ruling. 

His message is: don’t seek a high 

seat of power; seek a low place of 

service. This balance is virtually 

unknown in today’s church. 

In the following passage 

Peter tells the elders to do 

what elders do: feed the 

fl ock—preach the Word. 

He warns them that while they 

are teaching the Word, they should 

not lord it over God’s heritage, but 

rule by example. 

1Peter 4:1 The elders which 

are among you I exhort, who am 

also an elder, and a witness of 

the sufferings of Christ, and also 

a partaker of the glory that shall 

be revealed: 

2 Feed the flock of God 

which is among you, taking 

the oversight thereof , not by 

constraint, but willingly; not for 

filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 

3 Neither as being lords 

over God’s heritage, but being 

ensamples to the flock. 

The following passages 

are the clincher. These 

are the only places 

where the chain of 

command is given. It 

is very clear. Listen up! The head 

of the woman is her husband. The 

head of the husband is Christ, and 

the head of Christ is the Father. 

There is no pastor or elder in the 

chain of command. He rules the 

church by obediently preaching 

the word. He has no authority to 

rule a man’s wife or his children 

or the man. 

1Corinthians 11:1 Be ye 

followers of me, even as I also 

am of Christ. 

2 Now I praise you, 

brethren, that ye remember 

me in all things, and keep the 

ordinances, as I delivered them 

to you. 

3 But I would have you 

know, that the head of every 

man is Christ;[not an elder or 

pastor] and the head of the 

woman is the man; [not just any 

man—only her husband] and the 

head of Christ is God. 

Ephesians 5:21 Submitting 

yourselves one to another in 

the fear of God. [No one in the 

church is expected to be “above 

submitting.”] 

22 Wives, submit yourselves 

unto your own husbands, [Not to 

a pastor, elder, or bishop.] as unto 

the Lord. 

23 For the husband is the 

head of the wife, even as Christ 

is the head of the church: [No 

one or group of men are the 

“head” of the church.] and he is 

the saviour of the body. [ No one 

measures up to being the “saviour” 

of the body of Christ, the Church.] 

24 Therefore as the church 

is subject unto Christ, so let the 

wives be to their own husbands 

in every thing. [Scripture sure 

keeps the chain of command 

working well, all under Christ!] 

So how do elders rule? 

What is their ministry? There is a 

perfect example in Acts 15. It has 

all the ingredients. There was a 

big dispute over what constituted 

salvation for Gentiles. When the 

issue came to a head, the apostles 

and elders came together with 

the whole congregation to decide 

on church doctrine regarding the 

salvation of Gentiles. Read the 

chapter and note that the decision 

reached by the elders and apostles 

was in the presence of all the 

church and with their unanimous 

consent. The issue was finally 

decided when James quoted 

Scripture that pointed them to a 

correct course of action. The word 

of God confirmed the alreadystated 

views of Barnabas, Peter, 

and Paul. 

Acts 15:22 Then pleased 

it the apostles and elders, 

with the whole church, to 

send chosen men of their own 

10 www.NoGreaterJoy.org / No Greater Joy Ministries Inc.

company to Antioch with Paul 

and Barnabas; namely, Judas 

surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, 

chief men among the brethren: 

23 And they wrote letters by 

them after this manner; The 

apostles and elders and brethren 

send greeting unto the brethren 

which are of the Gentiles in 

Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: 

25 It seemed good unto us, being 

assembled with one accord, to 

send chosen men unto you with 

our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 

28 For it seemed good to the 

Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay 

upon you no greater burden 

than these necessary things; 

The letter was sent in the 

name of the apostles, elders, and 

brethren (the whole congregation) 

with the affirmation that it was by 

the guidance of the Holy Spirit 

that they spoke with one accord. 

So we see that the elders 

functioned as teachers and led 

the church to have one mind on 

the issue. They used Scripture to 

persuade, and did not coerce or 

demand as one with sole authority. 

Their authority did not exceed 

Scripture and the guidance of the 

Holy Spirit as perceived by the 

whole congregation. 

In Paul’s letter to Timothy, 

he says that a bishop should rule 

his house and have his children 

in subjection, but concerning the 

church he said a bishop should 

take care of the church. 

1 Timothy 3:4 One that 

ruleth well his own house, 

having his children in subjection 

with all gravity; 

5 (For if a man know not how to 

rule his own house, how shall he 

take care of the church of God?) 

[A minister takes care of the 

church by ministering the Word of 

God, not by meddling in personal 

affairs.] 

After looking at all pertinent 

Scripture on the subject, it is 

clear that a man is the head of his 

family, under no one but Christ. 

And God has blessed the man 

with other men who have gifts 

of ministry. They guide and lead 

by example and teaching of the 

Word of God. You can thank God 

for teaching/preaching elders who 

rule by accurate Bible doctrine 

and mind their own business. 

Umbrella of authority? 

In recent years a doctrine of 

“giving up your rights” has been 

taken to cult-like extremes. It is 

the concept that one is protected 

from the consequences of his 

actions if he is under an umbrella 

of authority. Their surrender 

of conscience to authority is 

reminiscent of the Dark Age 

concept of the divine right of 

kings and masters. 

No one has a right 

to convey or assign 

his conscience to the 

care of another—not 

children to their 

parents; not a wife to her 

husband; not a man to elders; not 

elders to bishops, cardinals, or 

popes. 

A child must obey his 

parents, a wife obey her husband, 

man obey the government, and 

Christians obey the elders of the 

church, only according to the 

jurisdiction of each. No one, other 

than God, has command over the 

moral nature of another. A man, 

woman, or child will answer to 

God for the things done in his or 

her body, whether they be good 

or bad, irrespective of what the 

powers-that-be have dictated. On 

judgment day, no one will avoid 

blame by saying, “But I was under 

authority.” 

We spoke of certain 

unalienable rights (duties— 

responsibilities) that are given 

by God, rights that cannot be 

conveyed to another; they remain 

the individual’s sole responsibility 

before God. Even your children 

have unalienable rights. They 

cannot transfer or hand over the 

sexual right of their bodies to 

their parents. Each moral agent is 

responsible before God to guard 

his own conscience. No child 

should allow his parents to use 

him sexually. A wife should not 

obey her husband if he wants to 

practice anal intercourse, or if he 

wants her to view pornography, 

or smoke pot. She should not 

obey him if he is subjecting the 

children to perversions of any 

kind. However, if he wants her to 

stay home with him on Sunday, 

she should obey. If he wants her 

to wear jewelry or bright-colored 

clothes or dye her hair or cut her 

hair, she should obey. None of 

these issues are moral. 

God has a prior claim on 

everyone, even children. When 

Jesus was 12-years-old, we find 

him troubling his mother and 

Joseph by his prior commitment 

to his heavenly Father. Though he 

was subject to them, he gave them 

to understand that his Heavenly 

Father came first. 

Under God’s umbrella 

A young man of 18 tells how 

his parents wanted him to be 

a commercial artist. They sent 

him to college to prepare. In his 

first semester, he learned that 

he would be drawing from nude 

models in the second semester. 

The immorality of the school 

was shocking to him, and being 

continued on page 14 


[AUDIO CASSETTES] 

o Albums 

www.NoGreaterJoy.org 

Galatians Righteousness Colossians 

NGJ Vol. 1 

No teaching is more 

needed in our day. Learn 

why Biblical Sabbath 

keeping, whether it be 

Saturday, Sunday, or 

Tuesday, and adopting 

the Jewish culture & 

worship is not the will of 

God for the Church. By 

Michael Pearl. 

3410-40 $18.00 

Hear Michael 

Pearl read the 

book No Greater 

Joy Volume 1 on 

cassette tape. 

Contains the 

first 2 years of 


newsletter articles. 

6230-40 

$10.00 

00 

The Pearls offer candid 

answers as they open 

their mail and discuss 

your questions. Many 

readers say it is the 

most interesting and 

helpful information on 

child training we have. 

6 tape album. 

5910-40 $20.00 

The Gami Akij Story 

Your heart will be stirred as Rebekah Pearl 

recounts how God prepared a people for 

Himself. The story of her time in the mountains 

of Papua New Guinea, translating the Kumboi 

language. Young people love it. 

3420-40 $4.00 

From the End of the Earth 

Songs by Rebekah Pearl. All alone in a bamboo 

hut on the top of a mountain in New Guinea, 

the fi rst white woman ever seen by the Kumboi 

village, Rebekah writes and sings songs about 

her God. She accompanies herself on a classical 

guitar. 

3020-40 $5.00 

3 Tapes - 1. Blood 

2. Imputed Righteousness 

3. The 

Man Christ Jesus / 

Saving Righteousness 

8135-40 $10.00 

NGJ Vol. 2 NGJ Vol. 3 

Hear Michael 

Pearl read the 


Joy vol.1 on 

tape. Contains 

another 2 years 

of No Greater 

Joy newsletter 

articles. 

6235-40 

$10.00 

0 

Three sermons by 

Michael Pearl contain 

the good news of 

complete 

and immediate 

deliverance from any 

and all sin by the 

miracle of the gospel 

alone. 

8320-40 $10.00 

12 www.NoGreaterJoy.org / No Greater Joy Ministries Inc. 

If you enjoyed 

Romans, you 

need to hear 

Colossians. 

Learn about 

your spiritual 

circumcision. 

2050-40 

$10.00 

Audio version of the 


Joy Volume 3, read 

by Michael Pearl. 

Children enjoy 

listening to these 

tapes, too! Contains 

another 2 years 

of No Greater Joy 

newsletter articles. 

6240-40 0 

$10.0000 

The advertisements in t issue 

are 

out of date, only order from the 

most Mail current Bag issue Sanctification or webstore. 

To Train Up a Child 

Audio version of 

the book To Train 

Up A Child. Read 

by Michael Pearl. 

8610-40 $10.00 

From the 

End of the Earth CD 

Songs by Rebekah Pearl. All alone in a 

bamboo hut on the top of a mountain in New 

Guinea, the fi rst white woman ever seen by 

the Kumboi village, Rebekah writes and sings 

songs about her God. She accompanies 

herself on a classical guitar. 3020-41 $8.00

[AUDIO CASSETTES] 

Alabama Seminar 

Two hours of Michael Pearl speaking on child training. These tapes are geared 

toward the father’s role in the family. Tales of Mike & his sons’ wild adventures. 

Boys love it! 

8325-40 $7.00 

A Panel of Five 

Five wives whose husbands have far reaching 

ministries speak out on what a woman can do to be a 

helper to her husband. 

7010-40 $4.00 

My Favorite Homeschooling Ideas 

Debi Pearl discusses her best homeschooling ideas.Twenty plus years of 

accumulated wisdom. This tape can remove your burden. It is our best-selling 

tape! 

6170-40 $4.00 

Security of the Believer 

Michael Pearl teaches on the security of the believer. 

The advertisements in 8322-40 

this $7.00 

issue 

are out of Generational date, Sins only order from the 

most current issue or webstore. 

Michael Pearl addresses the faddish teaching on generational sins, sins of the 

fathers visited on the children, family curses, etc. Let the word of God free you 

from the curse of pop theology. 

3730-40 0 

$4.00 

Imputed Righteousness 

The great doctrine of imputed righteouness is the heart of 

Biblical Christianity. 

4510-40 $4.00 

Authority Praying 

Michael Pearl preaches on the believer’s position in Christ and how prayer is 

based on the authority that is ours in Christ. 

1330-40 $4.00 

Sabbath Rest 

What does the Bible say about keeping the Sabbath, be 

it Saturday, Sunday, or Tuesday? 

8310-40 $4.00 

Testimony of Darlene Rose 

Hear the missionary story of Darlene Rose. Rebekah Pearl listened to these tapes 

when she was young. She says they helped mold her life toward missions. 

8605-40 $7.00 

Only Men 

Michael Pearl speaks directly and frankly to men 

about their responsibilities as husbands. Wives 

should not listen to this tape. We don’t want you 

taking advantage of your man. 

6650-40 $4.00 

www.NoGreaterJoy.org / No Greater Joy Ministries Inc. 13 

el Pearl 

www.NoGreaterJoy.org

a young man of virtue, he knew 

that he could not continue in that 

environment. When he told his 

father that he was giving up his 

art career for studies in theology 

at a nearby Bible Institute of no 

reputation, his father demanded 

The Bible does not command 

adults to obey their parents, 

and honor has nothing to do 

with subjection to another. 

that he stay in art school. He 

wanted to honor his father, but 

not at the cost of his own honor, 

so when appeal and reason failed, 

he announced that he was leaving 

the art school and going to Bible 

College. His Christian father, a 

man of high principles and oldfashioned 

ideals, told his son to 

leave home if he was going to 

disobey. The young man packed 

up his bags and left. When his 

father saw his success in the 

ministry, he forgave his son, but 

the son, then a minister, never 

doubted that he did the right thing. 

There was a man going about his 

Father’s business. 

When to disobey 

government 

In every generation the church has 

its proponents of blind obedience 

to government. The church leaders 

of Germany preached duty and 

submission to the powers that be. 

That unqualified subjugation of 

the religious populace enabled 

Hitler to march young Christian 

men off to conquer the world and 

kill Jews while singing hymns of 

praise to God. Romans 13 is cited 

as mandating complete surrender 

to the current political powers. 

But Romans 13:7 qualifies the 

subjection and limits it to 

those things over which 

government has rightful 

jurisdiction. Some 

things we owe to 

God, not government, 

which is what Jesus 

had already told us in 

Matthew 22:21. 

When it comes to taxes and 

civil laws that maintain the 

social order, we must obey 

the government, but when 

the government tries to get 

between God and the family, 

or between the parents and the 

children (in regard to education, 

impartation of culture, values, and 

worldview) we must obey God, not 

government. 

Jesus disobeyed civil law 

when it interfered with obeying 

God (Matthew 21:23-27). And, 

Peter and the other apostles placed 

God above government, as did 

Paul. 

Acts 5:27 And when they 

had brought them, they set them 

before the council: and the high 

priest asked them, 

28 Saying, Did not we 

straitly command you that ye 

should not teach in this name? 

and, behold, ye have filled 

Jerusalem with your doctrine, 

and intend to bring this man’s 

blood upon us. 

29 Then Peter and the other 

apostles answered and said, We 

ought to obey God rather than 

men. 

Can you believe this? 

Dear Mike and Debi, 

My husband and I are struggling 

with issues with his family. He 

was abused by his dad as a child, 

and now his brother has been 

charged with abusing children. 

His family wants to get together, 

but I fear for my children. My 

husband is undecided. He knows 

all those things happened, and 

are continuing to happen, and we 

could be putting our children at 

risk regardless of how hard we 

try to watch them. He wants to 

show honor to his dad, but does 

forgiveness and honor mean 

subjecting yourself and your 

children to them? Family is the 

ugliest thing in our life, yet we are 

commanded to honor and obey. 

M. D. 

The Bible does not command 

adults to obey their parents, 

and honor has nothing to do 

with subjection to another. Your 

children come first. Personally, I 

would break off all contact with 

the old reprobate and “honor” him 

from afar. If your husband does 

decide to get together, make sure 

the children are never out of your 

sight, and never allow them to sit 

in the “devil’s” lap. On judgment 

day, you won’t suffer any loss for 

having not trusted your children 

to a criminal, but you will suffer 

loss now and forever if, on your 

watch, your children are molested 

because you didn’t have the 

backbone to offend a sinner who 

offends children and should be 

cast into the sea with a concrete 

block tied to his head. I say that 

with Scriptural authority (Matthew 

18:6-10). 

Where are the men? Has this 

doctrine of authority so eroded 

common sense and supplanted 

personal responsibility that 


eprobate parents should be 

unconditionally reverenced as 

God? 

Dear Pearls, 

My dad left my mother for a 

lady he met on the internet. 

My mom is not blameless in this 

situation, for she nagged him to 

death for the past ten years. 

My sister and I have taken 

some very hard looks at how 

we treat our husbands since all 

this happened. Our dilemma is 

in trying to honor both parents 

without taking sides. Both 

parents are trying to win our 

favor over the other. Also, my 

dad wants us to let him and his 

live-in lady take our children 

places. How can we honor him 

and yet say no. Are we being 

judgmental? 

D. O. 

You’ve got the question 

backward. It is not how can you 

honor him and still say no. The 

question is: Having said no, how 

can you honor him? 

Wise judgment is the duty 

of every moral agent. 

A person without judgment is 

a conglomerate of flesh without 

humanity. Jesus said, “…judge ye 

not what is right?” - Luke 12:57. 

He also commanded us, “Judge 

not according to the appearance, 

but judge righteous judgment”- 

John 7:24. Likewise, Paul said, 

“But he that is spiritual judgeth 

all things, yet he himself is 

judged of no man”- 1Cor 2:15. 

I would just as soon my children 

ride on the hood of the car as go 

anywhere with either one of them. 

Their feelings would be my last 

consideration. Where are the men? 

Mike, 

I am 49-years-old and have a 

question in regard to obeying my 

father. I would like to sell my 

house and move from the area, 

but he does not feel I should, 

and he reminds me that if I want 

God‛s blessing I must honor him. 

When am I free to make my own 

decision? 

R. C. 

Eph 6:1 Children, obey your 

parents in the Lord: for this is 

right. 

2 Honour thy father and 

mother; (which is the first 

commandment with promise;) 

3 That it may be well with 

thee, and thou mayest live long 

on the earth. 

4 And, ye fathers, provoke 

not your children to wrath: but 

bring them up in the nurture 

and admonition of the Lord. 

The children that were to 

obey their parents were still 

being brought up in nurture and 

admonition. There is no example 

of an adult obeying his parents. It 

is emotionally sick for a parent to 

expect his grown children to obey 

him. 

It should be the goal of 

every parent to bring 

his children to the point 

of making independent 

wise decisions. If 

parents have earned 

the respect of their children, the 

grown child will want to continue 

to consult his parent in matters of 

importance, but the fi nal decision 

is his. 

In the time of Israel’s 

wandering in the wilderness, we 

find that a person 19-years-old 

and under was not considered a 

responsible adult, but upon turning 

20 he would die for his own sins. 

A Jewish child was considered 

to be two-years-old with the 

commencement of his thirteenth 

month. In our reckoning, the 

nineteen-year-old would be 

eighteen. 

Dear Mike and Debi, 

How do we honor our parents 

and yet protect our home? We 

have received the teaching that 

we should honor our parents, and 

that if God made the command 

to do so, and you don‛t, then 

you aren‛t obeying God. Our 

children have been taught to 

respect their grandparents, but 

our parents do not accept our 

manner of life and raising of our 

children. They often question 

us in front of the kids and even 

go so far as to go against us. 

When we are in their home on 

visits, we feel that we are in 

competition for the kids‛ hearts. 

P. R. 

Sometimes self-righteous 

parents get all up in the air 

over their young children 

being overindulged in 

candy or privileges. 

It is not going to hurt the kids 

to eat junk or experience some 

permissiveness several days 

out of the year. However, if the 

grandparents’ influence is weekly 

or even daily and is going to 

cause long term adverse effects 

in your children, you will want 

to correct the situation with as 

little pain as possible to everyone 

involved. Your first duty is to 

your children, but try to be wise 

and patient. When grandparents 

know you mean business, and 

you have established boundaries, 

and the consequences are loss of 

contact with the children, they will 

comply. In the final analysis, my 

children would be raised without 

grandparents before they would 

be damned by them. Again, the 

root of the problem is your lack of 

resolve and backbone. When you 

get kindly tough, the grandparents 

will most likely back down. 


Dear Michael, 

I am thirty-years-old. I would 

like to know when, if ever, 

is the authority of the old 

parents no longer in force over 

an adult son, especially if the 

mother is not in authority to 

her husband? Although I am 

not married, I have been on my 

own for many years, and I am 

well established in my career 

and ministry. My mother is a 

divorcee, so I have provided 

for her over the years. My dad 

has not been a part of my life 

for many years. Mother can be 

very spiritually manipulative. I 

have met a young woman whom I 

believe would make an excellent 

wife and mother to my children. 

She is not only a good choice, 

but she has my heart, and I 

believe I have hers. Her family 

is wonderful. They would be all 

for our marriage. My mother, 

on the other hand, does not 

like the idea. A while back, my 

mother did pick out a wife for 

me. She was sure this was the 

girl God had for me to marry. I 

was willing to talk to the girl‛s 

parents, although I was not in 

any way attracted to her. As it 

turned out, the girl was already 

asked for and soon married. Do 

I, as a grown man, submit to my 

mother, or should she, a woman 

without a head, submit to me? 

The Last Straw 

my home to her liking, meddles 

in our finances, belittles my 

husband, telling him he‛s foolish 

to spend money this way and 

that. My other stepmother 

throws fits when 

we aren‛t “fair.” 

Both women want 

100% loyalty and 

subjection from 

us. My mother 

examines the 

kids for bruises 

and marks 

and uses the 

“examination” 

as a tool to 

threaten calling 

the DHS when 

things don‛t go 

her way. Help us. 

A Reader 

Grow up. If 

I had a parent 

or in-law that 

threatened to call 

child protection 

on me, I would move to a different 

state and not leave any forwarding 

address. They could report me 

missing, but they could never 

report me to the authorities. 

Where are the men to allow a 

cantankerous old battle-ax to 

intimidate the family? Open the 

door and show her the way out. 

When has a parental 

authority been taken 

to far? 

The young man failed her course. 

Now it appears the little sister 

will end up an old maid too. And 

then the clincher is our own 

daughter. A young man asked 

for her with full 

blessings of his 

parents (mom). 

After months 

of careful 

courtship, his 

mom said she 

felt it was not 

right. The young 

man came to tell 

us what his mom 

felt, yet he knew 

she has always 

been rebellious 

and manipulative, 

and he was not 

going to let 

her control him 

as she does 

her husband. 

My husband 

agreed, but 

the poor young 

man agonizes over the lack of 

harmony at such a special time. 

Now his mom says he can marry 

in 2 years, and I suspect he will 

finally obey his mother. 

One thing is clear in all 

these situations: the females 

in the family are all determined 

to dominate! When is enoughenough? 

M. O. 

No, the last straw is your 

backbone. You don’t deserve a 

wife if you allow your mother to 

continue to rule you. Men must 

be men before they marry. There 

is absolutely no Scripture that 

supports the concept of a man 

submitting to his mother. Where 

are the men? 

Dear Pearls, 

How do we set boundaries gently 

while maintaining relationship 

and honor with our parents? 

My mother-in-law redecorates 

Dear Pearls, 

One topic we would like you to 

address is, “When has parental 

authority been taken too far?” 

We have friends who gave their 

approval of a potential spouse 

for one of their grown children. 

When the mother got into a 

fuss with the other mother, she 

called it off. We have another 

family in our church where the 

same thing happened, except the 

older sister, who it appears will 

be forever single, convinced her 

dad to start a series of lectures 

and give ultimatums to the young 

man who loves her little sister. 

Yesterday! 

When to give over 

your rights 

Dear Pearls, 

I am a 31-year-old widow 

with 7 children. My church 

has been very supportive of 

my family, and I would like to 

stay meeting there. We had 

recently moved and had started 

a new church when my husband 

was killed. The new church 

has several doctrines that we 

never followed. The leadership 


asked that I find another place 

to worship if I do not want to 

wear a scarf. My husband never 

believed such a thing, and I do 

not feel the men of the church 

have authority over me in such 

private matters. What do you 

think? 

If my wife were left a widow 

with 7 children, and she had a 

church that was willing to give 

guidance and assistance, and they 

wore two gallon plastic pails 

on their heads, making that a 

condition of fellowship, I would 

hope she would go to Wal-Mart 

and buy 8 plastic pails. 

As we said earlier, we do 

not have a right to commute our 

consciences to another, but a scarf 

on your head is not going to be an 

affront to your conscience. The 

church was right to tell you to 

make a choice. I can’t believe you 

would find that to be a difficult 

decision. And who knows what 

God might do if an eligible man 

in that church saw and respected 

your submission. 

The conclusion of the 

matter 

We included that last letter to 

make the point of not being petty. 

If a church wants you to wear 

black or dark blue to the service— 

as the Amish do—it should not be 

a problem with you. If the elders 

demand that all women wear long 

dresses and all men wear bow ties, 

on such nonessentials we are at 

liberty to give over our liberties. 

If you have a preacher who 

preaches the Word of God from 

a King James Bible and he and 

his family walk in holiness, you 

should be able to put up with a 

lot of nonsense and pettiness. 

As much as I dislike structured 

religion, I would take a big 

spoonful of it every week to hear 

the Word of God expounded 

accurately. 

It is time for men to be men, 

mothers to be mothers, children 

to be children, and ministers of 

the Word to tend to study and 

preaching. Parents must take their 

hands off their grown children, 

and grown children must assume 

responsibility and authority for all 

their actions. 

It has exhausted me to write 

this. We have made enemies and 

raised a lot of questions. I trust 

we have provided some Biblical 

answers. 

Matthew 23:8 But be not ye 

called Rabbi: for one is your 

Master, even Christ; and all ye 

are brethren. 

9 And call no man your 

father upon the earth: for one is 

your Father, which is in heaven. 

10 Neither be ye called 

masters: for one is your Master, 

even Christ. 

11 But he that is greatest 

among you shall be your 

servant. 

12 And whosoever shall exalt 

himself shall be abased; and he 

that shall humble himself shall 

be exalted. 

Crayons... or Crowns? 

enjoy your newsletters so much. Have had your marriage tapes for a while. We’ve gotten such 

I good from them. 

I have to tell you about a family joke we now have concerning the tapes. In one spot, Michael 

talks about a woman doing the right thing even when her husband is not. He says when she gets to 

heaven she will have a sack full of crowns. With his southern accent, my husband mistook him to 

say a sack full of crayons. 

Well, we fi gured out what he actually said. But now, whenever there is something we should do, 

but don’t necessarily want to, we joke about getting a sack full of crayons in heaven. ☺ 

Thank you, 

Mrs. W 


Albums 

NEW! 

[ 1 ST CORINTHIANS 

• Divisions in the church 

• Baptism 

• The failure of principle 

based teaching 

• The minister’s trial by fi re 

• Dealing with sexual impurity 

in the church 

• Responding to false 

doctrine 

• Educated d words versus 

power 

CORINTHIANS ] 

Here is a book of radical answers for radical times. Michael covers every 

verse in 1 Corinthians in a straightforward manner. This is not devotional 

teaching. It is practical Bible doctrine on a host of controversial subjects. 

Paul answers questions put to him by the church at Corinth. 

This eight tape set in a vinyl album for $24.00 

10 messages, 8 hours of teaching on eight tapes 

Will be available in CD format in near future, watch website for avialibilty. 

• Sex in marriage 

• Divorce and remarriage 

• Eating meat and Mosaic 

prohibitions 

• Headship of home 

• Head coverings 

• God kills Christians and 

makes others sick 

• The Lord’s table 

• Spiritual it gifts 

• Resurrection of the body 

A 

Michael Pearl has been studying and teaching the book of Romans for over 

40 

years. This verse-by -verse teaching is not devotional in tone, but addresses all 

the hard theological l issues that t have been the foundation of Christian faith. 

8140-40 $48.00 

John 

Michael Pearl teaches the book of John. 

Every verse is discussed, every critical 

word examined. Here is doctrinal and 

practical teaching to enrich your life. 

4610-40 $59.00 

NEW 

power • Resurrection of the body 

The 2060-40 advertisements in this issue 

are out of date, only order from the 

most current Romans issue or webstore. 

s 

are 

Ephesians 

Practical and Scriptural Bible teaching by Michael 

Pearl to encourage the believer. Chapter 5 tapes 

include one tape on husbands and one on wives. 

2930-40 $28.00 

Matthew 

Michael Pearl opens new insights as he teaches the 

Gospel of Matthew, describing it as the last book 

in the old covenant. A grasp of this unique book 

is essential to a proper understanding of the New 

Testament. 

6020-40 $45.00 


[ OTHER ITEMS ] 

Husbands, Wives 

Husbands, learn how to sanctify your wife and cleanse her of spots, 

wrinkles, and blemishes. You have the power to bring your wife into the 

fullness of all that God intended her to be. 

Wives, learn the freedom of honoring and ministering to your man. You can 

help him become all that God intended him to be. 

4140-70 $18.00 

Pornography - Road to Hell 

Michael Pearl addresses the issue of pornography head-on, calling 

sinners to repentance. This item is subject to volume discounts. 

7030-10 $1.00 

To Betroth or not to Betroth 

The dangers of the betrothal system are exposed with the light of Biblical 

truth, bringing objectivity back to an often-misunderstood subject. This item 

is subject to volume discounts. 

1420-10 $1.00 

In Defense of Biblical Chastisement 

Michael Pearl brings clear understanding back into the confusing and often 

misunderstood subject of corporal punishment. This item is subject to 

volume discounts. 

4530-10 $1.00 

Romans 

Chapter 1–8 

Commentary 

The book of Romans 

is the heart of all Bible 

doctrine. This commentary 

contains a careful wordfor-word 

examination 

of every phrase, and 

addresses all the hard 

theological issues that 

have been the foundation 

of the Christian faith down 

through h the centuries. By 

Michael Pearl 

8140-10 $8.00 

Revelation Poster and handbook 

This poster created by Michael Pearl shows the events of Revelation 

in chronological order. It is 40” X 19” on heavy, glossy paper. 

The handbook which accompanies it is fi lled with Old Testament 

references and commentary to the events in Revelation. 

8130-10 $12.00 



Me? Obey him? 

Which h version is the 


Bible? 

A must for every wife. Debi Pearl 

says, “When I was a young bride, 

The King James Bible remains the only 

read Me? Obey him? by Mrs. 

Word of God to the English-speaking 

g 

Elizabeth Rice Hanford. I can still 

people. Read this 281 page scholarly 

remember the surprise and joy I 

book by Floyd Nolen Jones and fi nd out 

experienced in “trying out” what I 

why. Be ready to lose your innocence 

had read. 

concerning the trustworthiness of 

6050-10 $3.00 

institutionalized Christianity. 

9510-10 $10.00 

www.NoGreaterJoy.org / No Greater Joy Ministries Inc. 19 

Items by Oth

y debi pearl 

Autoimmune Disease 

autism 

20 

answered 

This past year we have been getting a significant increase in the number of letters 

that deal with health and health-related behavioral problems. Although the 

symptoms are wide-ranging and greatly varied, they have either one of two things in 

common—digestive 

ADHD 

Crohn’s 

Chronic Fatigue 

Fibromyalgia 

OCD 

Schizophrenia 

While the women may have 

chronic fatigue, and men 

experience mood swings, the 

children will occasionally 

manifest extremely bizarre 

emotional behavior that 

is totally out of character. 

Adopted children have often 

been cited as manifesting 

a higher degree of strange 

behavior, thought to be 

emotional in origin or the 

result of inherited sin. Some 

behavior is so strange and out 

of character that many have 

attributed it to demon possession. 

Every day here at No Greater Joy Ministries, 

we sit down and prayerfully consider each letter. 

Often I have only part of an answer, sometimes 

no answer at all. Everyone has spiritual, 

emotional, and physical needs. We need to 

give whole answers. It is often perplexing and 

difficult, sometimes impossible to unravel the 

web of confusion. 

I want to say, “Thank you” to one of our 

readers who suggested I read Unraveling 


disorders or allergies. 

the Mystery of AUTISM and 

Pervasive Developmental 

Disorder, by Karyn Seroussi. 

Autism has always interested 

me. Over the years I have read 

everything I could find on the 

subject. But as I read this book, 

I knew the research had broader 

implications than just Autism. 

It uncovered the causes of such 

maladies as fibromyalgia, chronic 

fatigue, Crohn’s, ADHD and 

many auto-immune diseases. 

As I read through the 

developing story and considered 

the implications of the unfolding research, many 

people came to my mind—some friends and 

family, and many who have written—suffering 

with muscle, bone and head pain, skin disorders, 

extreme fatigue, foggy minds, anxiety, and/or 

hopelessness. I knew the information found 

in this book could change their lives. And for 

the many children, whose lives have been a 

nightmare, I now knew there was hope. 

To me, this book is beautiful. It is 

investigative medical research carried out by

professionals, but written in an 

emotionally compelling story 

form. The author’s compilation 

of information came about as a 

result of her own personal effort 

to find a cure for her autistic son. 

As I read Karyn’s struggle, it was 

like reading a letter from one of 

our readers, only this time I could 

read the solution. Her autistic 

son is now functioning like any 

normal child. It was thrilling to 

read of the many children who 

were made whole. 

Autism has some bizarre 

patterns that appear to be devils. 

The smearing of feces, the highpitched 

screaming, the ceaseless 

patterned movements, and the 

inability to look into anyone’s 

eyes are strange and suspicious 

symptoms. Some years back, I 

had an opportunity to spend time 

observing two little boys and 

one girl who were autistic, and I 

knew it had to have a biological 

source. Childhood vaccinations 

were implicated; then yeast, 

fungus, antibiotics, allergies, 

diet, and DNA. The more I 

learned the more it seemed a 

series of fragmented pieces that 

did not match the wide range of 

profoundly bizarre symptoms 

found in autism. 

Karyn shows research 

findings that will shock you. She 

will lead you through the steps of 

discovery of the scientists who 

found in the colon of autistic 

children the same extremely 

toxic, non-human substance found 

in the colons of LSD users and 

Schizophrenia patients. She lets 

her story unfold as it unfolded to 

the researchers themselves. She 

tells of their shock, disbelief, 

and struggle to find answers 

as to where and how this toxin 

came about and finally how they 

searched for cures. What they 

found under their microscopes might be able to eat. She also 

was often shocking. 

listed places where foods can 

The book reveals that genetic be ordered, and introduces other 

predisposition to autism does books on the subject. There are 

not necessarily mean you will be a few simple recipes. This book 

autistic. She follows the trail of is NOT about good nutrition. 

research that proves antibiotics, She doesn’t even address the 

vaccinations, yeast, ear infections, subject. If you are really serious 

allergies, and DNA are all part about good health, each person 

of a strange puzzle, sometimes reading this should do their own 

leading to autism—sometimes research into nutrition. Many of 

to other undesirable maladies. her methods of healing could be 

People with a weakened immune dealt with in a different manner. 

system fall victim to disease when The book is the story of many 

a simple case of candida (yeast) professionals working to piece 

is not destroyed before it turns together a strange medical puzzle. 

into its mycelial form (fungal). The all-important question, 

She explains how the toxic waste “Why is my child like this?” is 

caused from fungus can affect answered. You really need to read 

people in different ways, none the book. 

of which are pleasant. Research For your convenience we are 

strongly ties ADHD, fibromyalgia, making this book available to our 

chronic fatigue, IgG-type readers, but only for a short time. 

allergies, and even schizophrenia It can also be purchased from 

to the toxic waste emitted from Amazon or Barnes and Noble. 

the dying fungus. 

I have read on the web where My Personal Opinion 

other researchers believe even and Musings 

cancer might get its foothold in 

the same type of fungus waste. 

Through the book and other 

Some of our missionaries come 

information I have read over 

back from the field with severe 

the years, I can see how modern 

stomach and digestive problems, 

culture has caused many new 

including parasitical infestation. 

health problems. If you do any 

Skin disorders, boils, weight 

traveling, you will know that 

loss, achy bones, exhaustion, 

people in other areas of the world, 

and many other symptoms have 

who don’t share some of our 

plagued them. Even after the 

diseases, eat a lot of fermented 

parasites are gone, sometimes 

foods or unleavened bread. Where 

terrible health issues continue. 

there is less processed food and 

These missionaries have chased 

refrigeration, fermentation is a 

rabbit trails trying to find cures. 

common way of preserving foods 

This book will help many of them 

for long periods of time. 

identify the source of trouble, 

Until I was about fifteen years 

which will help in finding the 

old, most people here in the U.S. 

cure. 

were raised on cornbread and 

In the book, Karyn lists foods 

biscuits, which are yeast-free. 

that provoke extreme allergies 

Also, we stopped nourishing 

due to this fungus and foods 

the necessary healthy bacteria, 

that people who have become 

allergic to almost everything, still continued on page 24 


ITEMS BY OTHER AUTHORS 

22 


It all comes together at 

PATRICK HENRY COLLEGE! 

Michael Farris, J.D., President 

• Distinctly Christian & Classical 

• Four-year degree programs in 

Government 

~ public policy 

~ jounalism 

Classical Liberal Arts 

~ education 

~ creative/professional writing 

~ history 

• Real~World Apprenticeship Training 

For More information: 

www.phc.edu admissions@phc.edu 

Toll free 1-877-546-1776 

Purcellville, Virginia 

Th 

are 

out of date, only order from the 

EE-Taow! The Mouk Story 

most 

current issue or webstore. 

See live footage of an entire village, situated in the remotest jungles of 

Papua a New Guinea, becoming believers ers in Jesus s in one day. Featuring: a 

highly effective means of Bible teaching - the “Chronological Approach.” 

2910-71 $20.00 

The Law 

The Law is a discussion of forms of government, written in France by 

Frederic Bastiat 150 years ago. This book is an outstanding example 

of logical thinking and beautiful writing, and could have been written 

today, it is very up-to-date politically. 

5405-10 $5.00 

EE-Taow! The Next Chapter 

If you liked EE-Taow, you will love the Second Chapter. The story continues, 

proving the Mouk to be a people who take their faith seriously. Their faith will 

shake you. 

2910-72 $20.00 

Autism 

For a short time we will be carrying “Unraveling the Mystery of Autism 

and pervasive Developmental Disorder.” As I read this book, I knew 

the research had broader implications than just Autism. It uncovered 

the causes of such maladies as fi bromyalgia, chronic fatigue, Crohn’s, 

ADHD and many auto-immune diseases. 

9220-00 $10.00

You can now 

ORDER ONLINE 

through our website. 

♦ Payment via Credit Card – VISA, MASTERCARD, 

DISCOVER 

(No credit card orders accepted through email or snail 

mail. Online only.) 

♦ No Waiting on Snail Mail for your order to get to us. 

♦ Quicker turnaround on orders received through the Online 

Store. 

♦ Internet Specials offered from time to time on select items. 

Come Visit Us Soon at NoGreaterJoy.org 

SHIPPING 

Standard 

$ 0.01 - $10.99 add $4.50 

$11.00 - $20.99 add $5.50 

$21.00 - $30.99 add $6.50 

$31.00 - $50.99 add $7.50 

$51.00 - $100.00 add $10.00 

$100.01 or more add 10% 

All foreign orders, including 

Canada, triple shipping and 

handling. 

Sorry: No phone orders, no CODs, 

No credit cards, US Funds only! 

Note: All prices 

subject to change. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

Item Number 

(required) 

FOREIGN 

ORDERS 

are shipped surface 

unless otherwise 

requested. Please 

specify your shipping 

choice. We 

make every effort to 

keep our shipping 

costs as low as 

possible. 

All books on page 6 (except 

“Repentance”) are based on the 

price break-down to the right. 

Description 

(Title) 

1 - 7 Copies - each $5.00 

8 - 99 Copies - each $3.00 

100 or more - each $2.50 

Qty Unit 

Price 

d 1 $5 

Total Price 

8610-10 To Train up a Child $5.00 $5.00 

Name 

Address 

City State Zip 

Phone # 

SAMPLE 




Sub-Total 

TN residents add 9.5% 

Shipping 

Total 

Please make all checks 

payable and send to: 

No Greater Joy Ministries 



Check # 


found in our colon, with naturally 

fermented foods. To add insult to 

injury, the naturally-occurring bad 

bacteria, also found in our colon, 

is regularly fertilized with daily 

yeast breads and sugars which 

causes it to grow into a foaming 

monster and turns into fungus that 

eats away the sides of our colon, 

causing a leaky gut, and keeps us 

from absorbing the nutrients from 

our foods. 

The fungus goes through 

cycles, growing and dying off. 

In its dying-off stage, it emits a 

terrible toxic waste that poisons 

us. It comes out of our skin, 

overloads our liver, spills into 

our kidneys, lodges in our joints, 

and, horror of horrors, invades our 

brain. It makes us feel terrible. 

We cannot sleep, and yet we 

are always exhausted. We have 

headaches, and our minds are a 

fog. Our children have asthma, 

allergies, and are overweight. 

Once you develop yeast 

overgrowth, what can you do? 

There is no simple answer. 

Changing your eating habits, 

getting off yeast breads, and 

ceasing the use of so many drugs 

is a start. It is time to take control 

of your own health, do your own 

research and get well. 

More Musings… 

I am always looking for 

emergency cures for missionaries 

or even for treating plaguelike 

diseases in a primitive 

setting. Last week while I was 

reading Darlene Rose’s book, 

Evidence Unseen, I noticed a 

wartime cure-all. I read that the 

Japanese used Epsom Salts as 

an internal cleanser (available 

in any drugstore, directions on 

the box) to treat their prisoners 

for everything from parasites to 

dysentery, with amazing results. 

Then I remembered that my mom 

and dad have done Epsom Salts 

cleanses every year for years. 

Anyone who has ever made yeast 

bread knows that you need to 

be careful when adding the salt 

because it kills the yeast. Yeast 

in Scripture is always corruption; 

of course, yeast is a rotting and 

blowing up process. In the Old 

Testament, the Jews were required 

to clean everything and to fast 

from yeast every year. Today we 

are told that when we wash salad 

we should pour salt in the wash 

water because it kills any bugs or 

parasites and disease that might be 

on the vegetables. The Bible says 

we are the salt of the earth. I like 

that. Just musing. 

“Unraveling the Mystery 

of Autism and Pervasive 

Developmental Disorder” 

by Karen Seroussi. 

Sign up at our website for email notification of the release of our latest newsletter. 

Website Address: 

www.NoGreaterJoy.org 

No Greater Joy Ministries, Inc. 



Address Service Requested 

March - April 2003 NON-PROFIT 

ORG 

US. POSTAGE 

PAID 

FRANKLIN TN 

PERMIT NO 357

Download the PDF - No Greater Joy Ministries

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?